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VARNER-JOHN-MARY-BITZ-L

Researching Lehigh Township, Northampton County? 
Wondering where that early ancestor's Lehigh Township land is situated on today's map? 
I've researched that for you, created a map, and published the tract details in a book described here:

WWW.CLOSSONPRESS.COM

Scrapbook of

John and Mary (Bitz/Bitts/Pitz) Varner

Census, Deeds and Other Documents of Interest

[Some documents you will have to click the "rotate clockwise or counterclockwise" button ]

 

Clues to John's background	I do not believe John Varner was baptized in Westmoreland County The only Varners (Werner, Warner) I found in the baptisms in Westmoreland County, were the children of Frederick Werner/Varner and the children of Abraham Varner.  Rev. Paul Ruff has transcribed, indexed, and published the German baptisms of Westmoreland County from 1772 to 1820.  Rev. Ruff has also transcribed some of the Fayette County records The middle name of one son was Bitts--William Bitts Varner.  Bitts was the maiden name of John's wife The middle name of another son was David Holmes Varner.  Lori Waters suggested that Holmes could be the maiden name of John's mother Could John's father have been named John or Lafayette?  Family lore says John was the 7th son of a 7th son.  John named his 7th son John, and his 8th son Lafayette John was in the area of Hempfield Twp. where Frederick Varner lived, although Frederick was dead by 1799.  Widow Margaret died in 1825. John lived in the area of a Daniel Varner, who was a son of Abraham Varner--Daniel first appeared as a single man in the 1819 Hempfield Twp. tax list Three of Abraham Varner's sons were named John, Daniel, Solomon
TO DO	Search Fayette County Tax Records on microfilm through the Family History Center for the years 1815, 1816, and 1817  Done thanks to Lori Pursue digital images off original church records of the baptisms at Seanor Church and Greensburg Lutheran Church Look at the original handwritten pages of the baptism records of John, Polly, and Lafayette performed through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Freeport--discrepancy in dates
	1803, 6 March, baptism of Mary (Pitz) Varner, Greensburg Lutheran Church, Hempfield Township, found in "The German Church Records of Western Pennsylvania, 1792-1804," Vol. 2, transcribed by Rev. Paul Ruff.  Her parents were William Bitts, Sr., and Anna Mary (Silvus/Silvius), birth place: Westmoreland County.  The sponsors were Jonathan Heil and Anna Maria.  I believe Anna Maria to be Anna Maria (Silvius) Heil, aunt of Mary's mother, Anna Maria (Silvius) Bitts--so Mary (Bitts) Varner's great aunt.  Mary (Bitts/Pitz) was born 18 January 1803.  The Bitts had land in Salem Township, Westmoreland County, in this time period, which was northwest of Greensburg.  I have conferred by email with the Baltzer Meyer Historical Society (which Rev. Ruff was affiliated and the library at the historical society is named in his honor) and have learned that it is not possible to get a photocopy of the original records nor a copy of the photocopy Rev. Ruff worked from in transcribing the records.  It would be nice to see a copy of the original entries.
	1815-1817 John not listed in these years
	1818 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner SM, 4 Acres, 1 Cow, did not have the land in 1817 Widow Varner, 99 Acres, Rate $5/Acre, $494, Taxed 71�
	1819 Hempfield Township Tax [Taxed in 1819 for 1818] John Varner SM, 4 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed 56� Daniel Varner SM, Taxed 50� Widow Varner, 99 Acres, Taxed 71�
Image of area pertaining to the litigation	1818-1828 From April 1818 to November 1828, John Varner and David Kepler/Hepler were involved in a law suit.  Below are the law suit documents.
	1820 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner, 4 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed .06� Daniel Varner SM, Taxed 50� Widow Varner, 99 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed $1.00
	1820 Census
	26 August 1820 Varner and Hepler/Kepler litigation documents (part 1)
	1821 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner, 4 Acres, 1 Cow, .06� Daniel Varner SM, 50�, "now married" Widow Varner, 99 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed $1.00
	1822 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner, 4 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed 6� Daniel Varner, 1 Cow "set down his property McA___" Widow Varner, 99 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed 99�
	1823 Hempfield Township Tax John Warner, 5 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed 6� Daniel Warner, 11 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed 6� Widow Warner, 99 Acres, Taxed 56�
	1824 Hempfield Township Tax  John Warner Potter, 5 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed 6� Daniel Warner, 11 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed 6� Widow Warner, 99 Acres, Taxed 56�
	1825 Hempfield Township Tax John Warner, 5 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed 6� Daniel Warner, 11 Acres, 1 Cow, Taxed 6� Widow Warner, 99 Acres, Taxed 56�
	1826 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner, 4 Acres, 1 Horse, 2 Cows, Taxed 17� Daniel Varner, 10 Acres, 2 Cows, Taxed 9�
	1827, 5 May, Mary's confirmation, Pastor John Michael Steck, St. Paul Lutheran, Seanor Church.  Mary was 19th on the list and was age 24.  She was baptized at the same time as her brothers Isaac (23) and William (21).  Isaac and William both had their first child born in 1828, possibly had just married.  I wonder if the parents could not have their children baptized until they themselves were confirmed.  Mary and the Bitts family were of the Lutheran faith.
	1827, 14 May, John's confirmation, Pastor John M. Steck, Harrold Zion Lutheran Church records, transcribed by Rev. Paul Ruff. Pastor Steck performed confirmations every two years.  John was shown as age 28.
	1827 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner Potter, 4 Acres, 1 Horse, 1 Cow, Taxed 12� Daniel Varner, 40 Acres, 2 Cows, Taxed 19�
	21 September 1828 - Solomon, Levi, Jacob, and Daniel were baptized, parents Johannes Werner and Maria, sponsors were parents.  Pages and cover from Rev. Paul Miller Ruff's book, St. Paul's, Seanor, Church, Lutheran, Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County.  Lori Waters had a very good comment about Katie being a sister born in 1829--Katie would have been included in the baptisms with her other siblings.  If Katie had been born in 1829, she would have likely been baptized when Susanna and Wilhelm were baptized on 18 September 1831.  If Katie was older and born after Solomon (1820) and before Daniel (1826), she would have been baptized when Solomon, Levi, Jacob, and Daniel were baptized on 21 September 1828.      To be old enough to be the mother of Jane (Varner) Hudson, at the youngest, Katie, who is said to have been born in 1829, would have been 13 in 1842 when Jane was born (per Jane's headstone).  But she would appear in the baptisms with Susanna and Wilhelm in September 1831.  The reason we have the name Katie is that is what was noted in Henry's biography in the Wright County History.  Wayne and Claudia have been thinking that Jane is likely the third daughter.  I think they are right!   Map showing St. Paul's, Seanor, Lutheran Church and Harrold Zion Lutheran Church relative to where approximately John Varner's property was located.
	1828 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner Potter, 4 Acres, 1 Horse, 1 Cow, Taxed 12� Daniel Varner, 40 Acres, 2 Cows, Taxed 19�
	p. 1, 7 February 1829, p. 2, 29 November 1828--Varner and Hepler/Kepler litigation documents (part 2)       Transcription
	1829 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner, 4 1/2 Acres, 1 horse, 1 Cow, Potter, Taxed 16� Daniel Varner, 40 Acres, 2 Cows, Trade, Taxed 25�
	1830 Census--Hempfield Twp., Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (same page as a Daniel Varner and our John's brother-in-law, Isaac Bitts). John age 30-40 [about 32], 1 boy under 5, 4 boys 5-9, Mary 20-29 [about 27], 1 girl under 5, 2 girls 10-14, and an older woman 60-69 [born 1761-1770].  Mary's mother was about 49 in 1830.  Mary's grandmother, Catherine, wife of Nicholas Silvius, died in 1808.  I believe this Daniel is the son of Abraham Varner.  This Daniel's wife was Barbara.  I have some of his deeds confirming his wife is Barbara.
	1830 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner, 4 1/2 Acres, 1 Horse, 1 Cow, Potter, 1 "hors," 24� Daniel Varner, 40 Acres, 2 Cows, Trade, 1 "hors," 35�
	22 March 1831 - In a document called Power of Attorney of Jane Dougherty to Jane Dougherty, said that the "tract or farm of land situate . . . now in the occupation of John Varnar . . . ."   Following the Power of Attorney is a copy of the 1831 deed which mentions Daniel Varner adjoining the property.  I believe this is the Daniel Varner with the wife named Barbara. Also following these documents are transcribed versions.
See page 2 of pdf above	1 April 1831 - (68/70 acres) John Varner bought, from Jane Daugherty, property in Hempfield Twp., (#23-38), Westmoreland Co.  [Sold 1834]
	View of John's Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, land.  The 1831 deed was missing some of the coordinates of the property.  What is shown here is only 38 acres of the 68/70 acres he purchased.  This view shows his land in relation to Frederick's land (blue and pink).  The pink portion Frederick sold before he died.  Frederick and his wife Margaret were dead by this time dying, respectively, 1799 and 1827.
	1 April 1831 - Mortgage of John "Verner" to Jane Dougherty of Steubenville, Ohio, agrees to pay four annual payments of $250 from 1 April 1831, the fourth with interest.  Property adjoins "lands of Philip Seanor, Daniel Verner, Leonard Fury, Michael Mathias, John Goodman, David Shreder and patented to Henry Shrum." At this time, John had four "written obligations" to Jane.  Initially it sounds like the total is $250 and later in the mortgage it sounds like each payment was $250.
	18 September 1831 - Baptisms of Susanna and Wilhelm, sponsors were parents Johannes Werner and Maria, Parents.
	1831 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner, 4 1/2 Acres, 2 Horses, 2 Cows, Potter, Taxed 17� Daniel Varner, 40 Acres, 2 Cows, 1 Horse, Trade, Taxed 35�
John not noted	1832 Hempfield Township Tax
	3 February 1833 - Baptism of Henrich Bitz, sponsors were parents Johannes Werner and Maria, parents and Johannes Bitz, Single.  Shows his birth date as 8 September 1832.  The birth date doesn't match up with what we have for Henry (12 Nov 1831).
	1833 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner, 78 Acres
	1834, February 18, Guardianship documents relating to Sara Varner, daughter of Jacob Varner.  Jacob was "late of Hempfield Township."  Relating to land, "late of" can mean he moved off his property, sold his property, etc.  In this case of a guardianship, the caption is Jacob Varner Dec'd.  "Late of" could pertain to the fact he died, or he was of Hempfield Township and moved to some other township before he died.   This guardianship action could be taking place in Westmoreland County as the person Sara desires to be her guardian lives in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County.  This Jacob Varner could be from another county, such as Fayette.  Philip Seanor was the surety for the $300 bond John was required to make.  Philip Seanor's land was near our John Varner's land.  The ___ census shows that Philip Seanor's wife was Sara, who was the right age to be this Sara, daughter of Jacob.  Sara would have been born about 1820, the same year Solomon was born.
	20 February 1834 - John and Mary sold the 68 acres of Hempfield Twp., Westmoreland Co. property (23-38) for $600 to John A. Heldinger.	Transcribed
	1834 Hempfield Township Tax John Varner, Salt Boiler, 1 Horse, 2 Cows, 7� No Daniel Varner
John not noted	1835 Hempfield Township Tax
	1836 Hempfield Township Tax Varner John (crossed out) Salt boiler, 1 Horse 2 Cows, Taxed 7�
	Salt Manufacturer from the History of Westmoreland County by Albert
John not found	1837 Tax
John not found	1838 Tax
	1839, 11 August--The baptisms of John, Polly, and Lafayette were found in a publication located at the Community Library of Allegheny Valley, Tarentum, Pennsylvania, listing the baptisms performed through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Freeport, Pennsylvania, from 1839-1880.  Their baptisms were performed by Rev. John H. Berheim, on 11 August 1839.  We are still looking for the baptisms of Jane (1842), David (1844), and Johnston C. (1849) (Johnston was either a Varner or some other surname).  They do not appear in the publication mentioned above.  (Reul Johnston(e) was not in the picture in 1849, so it is unlikely that Johnston C. was named after Reul Johnston(e).) Regarding baptisms of David and Jane, the only Armstrong County published baptism records for the time period pertinent to these baptisms to-date were transcribed by Rev. Ruff of Pastor William E. Weinel's records (a Reformed minister) beginning 1822 - 1859, for southern Armstrong County.  Although Pastor Weinel performed all church events for the area, which included Freeport, the Varners do not appear in the transcription of these records.  Pastor Weinel traveled to the churches in the surrounding area until his last baptism in 1859.  If the children were baptized after 1859, the baptisms would have been performed in a Lutheran church in Freeport, per Rev. Ruff's book.
John not found	1839 Tax
	1840 Census--there is no John Varner in any county census in the area that matches the number of children and ages of the children that John and Mary have by 1840.  Through Lori Waters' careful study and analysis of the census, and study of the names of the children of John and Mary, she came to the realization that the Lafayette Varner in the 1840 census for East Deer Township, Allegheny County, could actually be our John Varner.  The clues that agree with this hypothesis: John and Mary named their 7th son John (an aside--family lore in Mabel Wirsing's family is that John Varner was the 7th son of a 7th son) They named their 8th son Lafayette Lafayette Varner is on the same census page as the future in-laws of John and Mary's sons Solomon (father-in-law Philip Burtner) and Levi (father-in-law Jacob Kuhn/Coon) Military records of John's son, Lafayette, state he was born in Allegheny County Military records of their son, David Holmes, state he was born in Butler County We learned that Lafayette Varner's Butler County land was close to the border of Allegheny and Butler Counties Butler County was created in 1800 from Allegheny County Solomon was married about 1844 to Martha (Burtner) Levi was married about 1846 to Rachel (Kuhn/Coon) The ages of John and Mary's children match fairly close to the number and ages of the children of the Lafayette Varner in the 1840 census A deed Lori Waters found indicates that John and Mary Varner were involved in some litigation regarding land they owned in Butler County (see 17 June 1854 below) Our John Varner is actually John Lafayette Varner or Lafayette John Varner.
	Map of old East Deer Township, now Harrison Township, Allegheny County, and Buffalo Township, Butler County, showing the tracts of Jacob Coon/Kuhn's and Philip Burtner, and the tract we believe contained John Varner's 100 acres, through the deed research performed by Lori Waters.  [Directly east of the green tract that contained John's 100 acres is a notation "ME Church."  That is Freeport.  The small tract within the tract named Charlemont was Henry Varner's Buffalo Township, Butler County, tract purchased in 1858 and sold in 1870.]
John not found	1840 Tax
	1841 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax John Varner
	1842 Jane Varner born, not officially proven she is a daughter of John and Mary, but I believe she is the daughter of John and Mary and that there was no daughter Kate.
	1842 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax John Varner, 100 Acres at 3.75, 2 Horses at .50, 2 Cows at .16, total of 4.41
	1843 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Varner, John, 100 Acres at 3.75, 3 Horses at .60, 1 Cow at .08, total of 4.43
	1844 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Varner John, 100 Acres at 5.00, 1 Horse at .20, 2 Cows at .15, total of 5.35
	1844 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Varner Solaman, 1 Horse at .20, Single Man at .40
	1844, 18 December, David Holmes born
	1845 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Varner, John, 100 Acres at 5.00, 2 Horses at .40, 2 Cows at .15, total of 5.55 Varner, Levi, S.M. at .50, 1 Cow at .08, total of .58 Solomon was likely living in Allegheny County with his new wife, Martha Magdalena Burtner, perhaps on her father's property.  It is believe they married in 1844, as their first child, Philip, was born about 1845.  No tax records are extant for this area of Allegheny County.
	1845 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Varner, Solliman, S.M. [single man] at .50, Horse [no tax], 1 Cow at .08, total of .58 Solomon's first child, Philip born in 1845.
	1846 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Varner, John, 100 Acres at 5.00, 2 Horses at .25, 3 Cows at .18, total of 5.43 Varner, Levi, S.M. [single man] [no tax], Cow [no tax]
	1846 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Varner, Salliman, S.M. [no tax], Horse [no tax], 1 Cow [no tax] no tax amounts No single man tax due to marriage?  Likely living on Burtner property in Allegheny County.
	1847 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Hamilton, William, 1 Cow at .05, Occupation at .25, 180 Acres at 7.00, total of 7.30.  This is the man we believe that John Varner purchased the 100 acres from in late 1841 or early 1842.  This entry is establishing the fact that William Hamilton has 180 acres at this time.
	1847 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Varner, John, 100 Acres at 5.00, 2 Horses at .20, 1 Cow at .05, 1 Dog [no tax], for a total of 5.25.  Was Levi living in Tarentum, Allegheny County, with his wife Rachel (Kuhn)?  Rachel was next to her parents in the 1850 census.
	5 November 1847, John of Freeport Bor. (S. Buffalo Twp.) purchased from James Anderson and wife for the sum of $100, In-Lot #56 in Freeport, Armstrong Co. situate on the south side of the Pennsylvania Canal bordering Walnut alley 66 ft. and the full extent from said alley to the Canal. Recorded 2 Feb. 1849, Vol. 16, Page 467, Armstrong Co. [Sold 1849.]  [See also litigation 1851 entry]	20 March 1843, Jane Anderson to [son] James Anderson, Lot 56 in Freeport
	1847, December Term.  James Anderson v. John Varner litigation.  See March 1851.
	1848 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Varner, John, the entry of 100 acres at 5.00 is crossed out.  No amount for Horses and Cows
	1848 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Hamilton, Wm, 180 acres at 7.00, Occupation tax .50, Cow [no amount], 100 acres at 5.00. This entry is shown to indicate that William Henry has his 100 acres back--the same 100 acres that he sold to John and Mary in 1841.  See the entry below Cows.  The 17 June 1854 Indenture between William Hamilton and John and Mary regarding the 100 acres confirms that John and Mary purchased 100 acres from William Hamilton and left the property after the 1847 tax date.  In June 1854 they came to an agreement over the property.
	1848-1855--Freeport Borough taxes.
	18 March 1848, Agreement of William Bitz Senr with John and Mary Varner, affirming the part of Lots 111 and 112 left to Mary in William's will.  The September codicil to his will basically allows and acknowledges that John Varner will build on the property and agrees to furnish William's widow certain groceries and coal during her lifetime.
	1849 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Varner, John, 100 acres at 5.00 all crossed out
	25 January 1849, Deed John and Mary Varner to Jane McCain [1/2 of Lot 56], Freeport Borough, Armstrong County
	Graphic of Lots 111, 112, and Lot 56, in Freeport.
	1849, Johnston C. Varner born, per 1850 Freeport, Armstrong County, Census.  Unknown how he is related to the Varners.
	1849, 8 October, Armstrong County, John Varner sued William A. Golden for slander.  John was represented by Nesbit, William by a France Golden.  Summons served on Golden on 15 October 1849 by reading and copy.  Judgment entered 6 January 1851 for want of a Declaration served on ____ [illegible] 1850 census shows J. Noble Nesbitt as a 40 year old lawyer, established in Freeport in 1846 [History of Armstrong County, p. 419].  No mention of attorney France Golden.
	1850 Freeport, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Census
	1850, 14 March, Armstrong County, a Judgment by John Woods Esq. on award of referees.  Case caption:  Solomon, Daniel, and Jacob Varner vs. David Bitts, John Haney, John Allen, James G. McGraw, Samuel Mourheade, Albert N. Morse, and Thomas Bules. Grounds unknown. 1850, 7 November, "Narr felece" 1850, 10 December, [roughly transcribed] "Settled as per writing filed and Judgment against defendants for costs.  Settlement filed whereby it is agreed that the defendants pay all costs that have accrued on this case and the plaintiffs agree to Receipt, to Defts [Defendants] for the $7 named by the referees and ask the Court to enter Judgment for all costs against defendants.  See writing filed."  Defendants:  David Bitts was a carpenter and the Varner boys' uncle.  John Haney was an innkeeper--he appeared next to Daniel Varner on the census.  John Allen possibly an oil digger in Sugarcreek Twp.--two other John Allens are farmers.  James G. McGraw was a carpenter.  Samuel "Mourhead" was a blacksmith, living with his father--the Moorheads appear near to Daniel and Solomon on the census.  Albert N. Morse was a lakeman.  Thomas Bules, unknown. Attorneys for the Varners, James B. Fullerton, established in Freeport in 1849.  Attorneys for the defendants, James Donnelly and Lawrence S. Cantell firm established in 1849 [History of Armstrong County, p. 419].
	1850 Buffalo Township, Butler County Tax Hamilton, William, 180 Acres at 9.00, 100 Acres at 5.00, a total of 14.00.  This shows again that William Hamilton has 100 acres back.
	March 1851--James Anderson v. John Varner litigation.  Matter went before arbitrators and they found for the Plaintiff Anderson on 10 March 1851.  John owed Anderson $26.  This is related to the land John purchased from James Anderson 5 November 1847. The original matter went before the court in December Term 1847.  John Varner was represented by James B. Fullerton. Anderson by Donnelly & Cantwell.
	1854, 21 February--John Varner vs. John Wasson.  Grounds unknown.  The one John Wasson found was a farmer in Franklin Township, Armstrong County.  The matter went before arbitrators who found on 26 January 1855 for John Varner.
	Butler County property: 17 June 1854, Indenture between John and Mary Varner to William Hamilton, 100 acres in Buffalo Township, Butler County, in payment of $10 to John and Mary by William Hamilton, and in consideration of a Judgment in Butler County against John Varner.  This land John purchased from William Hamilton (deed does not say when). No litigation between John Varner and William Hamilton was found in Butler County.
	1854 Map of Freeport, Pennsylvania, shows John Varner on Lot 56 and part of Lots 111 and 112.
	5 March 1856 - Joseph Clark Sheriff to Charles Smith sale of 1/2 of In-Lot #56, John's property in Freeport (old plan) to settle a debt owed to James Anderson [annual payment on the property]. Lot bounded on the North by Pennsylvania Canal; East by First Street; South by Alley and West by Lot #57. The sale of the property brought $80 to settle a $26 debt. (Book of Deeds Vol. 21, p. 777.)  From 1850 to 1856, John was involved in litigation with James Anderson.
	14 April 1856, "John Varner died" per "The Diary of Jacob Shoop," the "Weather Book" 1848 to 1870, page 27.  Shoop's Store, at this time, was located on the corner (likely northwest corner) of Water and 4th Street, three or four blocks from the Varner's home.
	1856 Freeport Taxes Danl Varner, 1/4 of Lot 59, 75� value, cooper 40�, total $1.15 Henry Varner SM, 1/2 of Lot 116, 50� value, 2 horses, $1.00 value, teamster 30�, total $2.00 John Varner, Part of Lot 111 & 112, $4.00 value Jacob Varner, Part of Lot 69 & 70, $1.50 value, carpenter 40�, total $1.90 Sol Varner [very feint writing]
	1857 Freeport Taxes [if you look real close you can see lightly written in first names] Daniel Varner, 1/4 of Lot 69, 75� value, brick layer 30�, total $1.05 Henry Varner SM "(gone to Minnesota)", 1/2 Lot 116, 50� value John [line through] Varner Mary Mrs., Part of Lot 111 & 112, $4.00 value, 1 cow 50�, total $4.15 Jacob Varner "(gone to Minnesota)", Part of Lot 69, 70, $1.50 value Jacob Varner, 1/4 of Lot 58, 25� value John Varner SM, cooper 25� Solomon Varner, laborer 25�
	1858 Freeport Taxes Daniel Varner, 1/4 Lot 59, 75� value Henry Varner, 1/2 Lot 116, 50� value Mary (Mrs.) Varner, Part Lot 111 & 112, $4.00 value, 1 cow 8�, total $4.08 Jacob Varner, Part Lot 69 & 70, $1.50 value, carpenter, total $2.05 Jacob Varner, 1/4 Lot 58, 25� value, carpenter John Varner, 1/4 Lot 58, 25� value, cooper 25�, total 50�
	1859 No tax books available
	1860 Freeport Taxes John Varner SM, 1/4 Lot 58, 25�, Trade, 50�, Total 75� Mary Varner, parts of Lots 111 & 112, $4.00 value Henry Varner, 1/2 Lot 116, 50� value, 1 cow 10�, Trade 50�, total $1.10 Daniel Varner 1/4 Lot 59, 75� [all crossed out] Transferred to Connar (Conrad) Wolf, total $75 Jacob Varner, Lot 70, 75� value Jacob Varner, Lot 69, 75� value Jacob Varner, Lot 58, 25� value, S in the trade column
	1860 Freeport, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania (Mary "Vernor" Widow, same page as sister Catherine (Bitts) Golden and family).
	1861 Freeport Taxes Mary Varner, parts of Lot 111 & 112, $4.00 value, total $4.00 Henry Varner, Lot "012," 50� value, 50� total Jacob Varner, Lot 70, 75� value crossed out "See Jacob Kuhn" Jacob Varner, Lot 69, 75� value Jacob Varner, 1/4 Lot 58,  25� value crossed out "See Solomon Reeds" No Daniel.  He is living in Tarentum, Allegheny County. Jacob Kuhn could either be Jacob Kuhn, father of Levi's widow, or her brother Jacob.  From a Jacob Kuhn Sr. descendant, we know that he died in Freeport.  Jacob Kuhn Jr. was also in Freeport.  I believe this to mean that Jacob Kuhn moved onto Lot 70.
	1862 Freeport Taxes Henry Varner, Lot 14 50� value, total 50� Mary Varner, Lot 111 & 112, $3.00 value, 1 cow 10�, $3.10 No Daniel Varner--in Allegheny County
	1863 Freeport Taxes Henry Varner, Lot 14, 50� value, total 50� Mary Varner, Lot 111 & 112, $3.00 value, 1 cow 5�, total $3.05 No Daniel Varner--in Allegheny County
	1864 Freeport Taxes Henry Varner, Lot 14, 50� value [crossed out] "to Thomas Brown" Mary Varner, Lot 111 & 112, $3.00 value, total $3.00 No Daniel Varner--in Allegheny County
	1865 No tax books available
	1866 Freeport Taxes Mrs. Mary Varner, part Lot 112, $3.00 value, 1 cow 10�, total $3.10 ____ [Jacob?] Varner, Cooper 50�, total 50� Daniel Varner, Cooper 50�, total 50�
	5 March 1867, Agreement between George F. Tarr and Susannah his wife of Freeport, to Mary Varner, widow of John Varner, $4.00.	Transcribed
	1867 No tax book available
	1868 Freeport Taxes Daniel Varner, Lot 59, 75� value, Cooper 25�, total of $1.00 Mrs. Mary Varner, part 111, $2.00 value Mrs. Mary Varner, part 112, $1.50 value, $350 total
	1869 Freeport Taxes Daniel Varner, Lot 59, 75� value, Cooper 40�, total $1.15, one dog Mrs. Mary Varner, part 111, $2.00 value Mrs. Mary Varner, part 112, $1.50 value, total of $3.50 From the 1809 act, it appears that dogs were taxed to encourage better control of them and to provide remuneration for any sheep killed or maimed by dogs.
	1809 Dog Tax
	1870 Freeport Taxes Daniel Varner, Lot 59, 75� value, Cooper $30, total $1.15, 1 dog, 1 bitch Mrs. Mary Varner, Part 111 $2.00 value Mrs. Mary Varner, Part 112 $1.50 value, $3.50 total
	1870 Freeport, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania (Mary Varner Widow). It seems that Mary rented to Elizabeth Rowland, age 69, and son, Alexander, age 25.
	20 April 1870, Mary Varner to H. H. Schweitering, NORTH half of the part of Lots 111 and 112.
	1871, 10 March, William Varner vs. Mary Varner--a mechanics lien served on Mary Varner.  1871, 18 September--Judgment found in favor of William Varner for $443 and costs.
	1871 Freeport Taxes Mary Varner, "2d Street" part lot 111 & 112, $7.00 Daniel Varner, Market Street, part lot 57, $3.00, Cooper
	1872 Freeport Taxes Mary Varner, 5th Street, part of lot 111 & 112, $7.00 Daniel Varner, Market Street, part lot 57 $3.00, Cooper, $2.50
	1873 Freeport Taxes Mary Varner part of 111 & 112, $7.00 Daniel Varner part 57, $3.00, Cooper $5.00
	12 April 1873, Mortgage Mary Varner, Mortgagee, William Varner, Mortgagor.	Transcribed
	1874 Freeport Taxes Mary Varner part 111 & 112, $8.00 Daniel Varner part 57, $6.00, Stone Mason $7.50
	1875 Freeport Taxes Mary Varner part 111 & 112, $8.00 Daniel Varner part of 57, $6.00, Cooper $6.75
	1876 Map of Freeport
	1876 Freeport Taxes Mary Varner part 111 & 112, $8.00 Daniel Varner part of 57, $6.00, Stone mason $6.50
	1877 Freeport Taxes Mary Varner part 111 & 112, $8.00 Daniel Varner part of 57, $6.00, "copper" likely cooper
	1878 Freeport Taxes Mrs Mary Varner part of 111 & 112 $4.00 "November 7, 1878, reduced to 400 by error shown by the assessor Daniel Varner part of 57, #6.00
	1879 Freeport Taxes Mrs Mary Varner part of 111 & 112, $4.00, $4.00 Daniel Varner part of 57, $6.00
	1879, 13 April - Mary attended church at Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Freeport. The church record noted:  Mrs. Mary Varner last communed 13 April 1879, then after that: "absent."
	1879, 27 April - Mary signed her name as Mary Varner to the Bylaws of the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Freeport, Pennsylvania.  They were: . . . 'permissable' at all must be held in the basement of the church, i.e., in the Lecture Room. Eight regular members of the church may call a meeting at any time. Under ordinary circumstances children shall be baptized in the church, either before the assembled congregation or Sabbath School. Parents are the proper persons to present their children for baptism--circumstances may determine otherwise.
Freeport Journal 14 November 1879	Mary's obituary:  VARNER--Suddenly on Thursday morning, November 13th, 1879, at 4 A.M., Mrs. Mary Varner, in her 79th year.  Mrs. Varner was in her usual health the day before and had baked a batch of bread.  At four in the afternoon she took sick and died in the morning.  She was the mother of a very large family.  Thanks to Wayne Varner for going to Freeport Pa., and bringing back this copy!
	2 July 1879, Last Will and Testament of Mary Varner.
	1879 December Term, Petition of Estate of Mary Varner to Orphans Court.	Transcribed
	1880 Freeport Taxes Daniel Varner, owner, part of 57, $5.00, $5.00 Mrs Mary Varner Est pat 111 & 112 [crossed out], $4.00 "These two lots are assessed to ___ Schwetering"
	15 March 1880, J. B. Miller, Executor [of Mary Varner's Estate] to H. H. Schweitering and Sarah E. Schweitering, SOUTH half of the part of Lots 111 and 112 that belonged to John and Mary Varner.